Diwali, the festival of lights, is not only about celebrating tradition but also about dressing up to the occasion and showcasing your individual style. While traditional attire takes centrestage, it doesn’t harm to add a bit of contemporary flair with elegance.
Designer duo Shantanu Mehra and Nikhil Mehra of luxury couture label Shantnu & Nikhil are all for saree gowns and draped skirts with capes as the go-to ensembles for women. “Geometric prints accentuated with intricate details are a key highlight this season, adding depth and texture to festive dressing,” says Mehra. Even for men, there is no dearth of customisation. As for designer Kunal Rawal of the eponymous menswear fashion label, kurta shirts or shorter kurtas are in and so is pairing them with churidars.
“Opt for a contemporary look with tonal chinos or a clean-coloured tonal denim. Go for traditional Indo-Western styles or classic lace-ups in neutral browns in footwear, and there’s always the modern black shoe,” says Rawal, who suggests fit and hue are key and it’s essential to choose well-tailored outfits. Not just designers, even fashion retailers like H&M are coming out with festive collections, capturing the glamour and celebratory spirit of the season. “We wanted to create something exclusive for the festive season, to inspire consumers with a collection that is stylish, elevated, and confident — ripe for self-expression,” says Eliana Masgalos, concept designer at H&M. H&M’s womenswear has show-stopping silhouettes, including ‘goddess-like’ dresses and skirts, diaphanous blouses, and disco-ready sequinned ensembles. As for men, it has classic sartorial cuts, including neat button-down jackets and blazers, paired with luxe knitwear and pleated pants.
In fact, multi-occasion wear is trending this season. For your pre-Diwali festivities, you can opt for an embellished traditional top to bottom look in vibrant jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and ruby paired with metallic accents. “Silhouettes are fluid yet structured. What’s different this time is there is focus on personal style – people are investing in statement pieces that blend opulence with sustainability as these versatile designs can transition effortlessly from day to night,” says Avani Karan Chandan, co-founder of fashion brand, The House of Ara.
Party dressing is now evolving as there is a growing interest to dress up in multi-functional and multi-style couture. Designer Anjul Bhandari says, “A blend of tradition and modernity comes with a newly introduced dagla jacket, which is a nawab’s way of wearing a jacket, along with co-ord sets for a contemporary twist, and the timeless saree for formal wear.” An Indo-Western partywear means there is an essence of co-ord sets, a much-needed addition to the Diwali attire, making breezy outfits for playing cards, hosting parties and overall poise and panache, adds Bhandari, who has introduced chikankari co-ords and lavish lehengas in metallic silver to add a touch of lustre to the outfit. “We have also introduced a shade of pink with grey beadwork and ivory flowers, an ethereal yet glamorous blend of elevated elegance. The trend is to invest in sustainable pieces to preserve artisanal craftsmanship for future generations to create intricate hand-embroidered works, transforming them into cherished heirlooms,” she says.
The founder of the eponymous designer label, Lavanya Ahuja, says, “As opposed to the muted pretty pastels of previous seasons, the shift from minimalist to dramatic is apparent in bold details like exaggerated ruffles, layered textures, and jewellery-like embellishments using pearls & crystals.”
Accessorise to impress
“This time, it’s sort of a ‘ribbon-aissance’ and adding whimsical accents to embrace a coquettish charm to any dress code,” says Priyanka Sanghi, founder, Hair Drama Co, a handcrafted hair accessories licensee brand of Disney India, Netflix show Emily in Paris and Barbie. This festive season, accessorising takes centrestage with ribbons, hair bands, statement bows to versatile everyday clips essential to glam up the wardrobe.
“Dressing up with fun and creativity is big as we see deep greens, rich blues, and vibrant purples in unique patterns that catch the eye. Mixing different textures, like silky satin and sparkling sequins add a cool twist to any outfit,” says Sanghi.
This time of the year, the festivities bring a fusion of Indo-Western styling in co-ord sets, traditional kurtas, headpieces as sought-after essentials. More labels are embracing molten or mixed metals for a contemporary feel and versatility. “Eye-catching designs that effortlessly carry through from celebrations to after-parties, fluid shapes add elegance, touch of movement, making the pieces adaptable for different looks. There is a shift towards jewellery that feels both modern and wearable for different events while still standing out,” says Sonali Lalvani, founder and CEO of accessories brand Toniq Retail Brands.
While the trend is to redefine festive fashion in statement accessories, silhouettes, and eye-catching details, Akanksha Arora, CEO of Tribe Amrapali, a maker of handcrafted semi precious jewellery, suggests looking at pairing a navratan rani haar necklace and peacock eye earrings from the Navratna collection, and wear them with a silk saree or lehenga for a traditional look. “For a contemporary look, opt for geometric shaped earrings and a delicate bracelet. This combination offers a modern and stylish aesthetic, perfect for pairing with a modern jumpsuit or a fusion outfit,” she adds. Meanwhile, sparkles and shiny accessories like potlis and clutches have made a strong comeback after a few years of minimalism. “These standout pieces are back in demand, and we’re excited to see customers embracing the glitz and glamour once again,” says Natasha Dua, director at Lino Perros, a homegrown accessories label targeted at GenZ customers.
Italian luxury shoes and footwear brand Tod’s too has announced its collaboration with Indian fashion designer Rahul Mishra interpreting the iconic Tod’s Gommino, Tod’s Di Bag and a selection of Tod’s T Timeless accessories for men and women.
Grooming essentials
A good look is best sorted with tender care for skin and makeup that doesn’t harm your skin post the party season. “The biggest challenge is to spend the night without worrying about the makeup melting off, so keep the skin looking fresh with a water-based foundation and go bold on the eyes that are smudge and sweat-proof. Coloured eyeliner is making a huge comeback – think jewel tones like emerald or sapphire for a festive twist,” says Ananya Kapur, founder of Type Beauty Inc.
Celebrity makeup artist Namrata Soni, founder of Simply Nam, says, “Use a metallic brown kajal as a smudged eyeshadow, paired with dark brown or black kajal on the waterline, and finish with generous coats of mascara. Use smudge-proof, sweat-resistant products when you have a long day ahead. A soft brown mocha blush hue works well on all Indian skin tones and a glossy balm to the centre of the lips for a fuller effect.”
Brands like Marmelo Beauty offer a lightweight serum-based blush for a natural look. As per makeup artist Samaira Sandhu, wear a mascara, a bit of concealer, a tint, and for a bigger Diwali bash with an elaborate outfit, amp up the hair and makeup. Agrees Tahnee Nagar, creative director, Looks Salon, Select CityWalk, “A ponytail is making a bold comeback but with a twist. The key is in the details – think embellished accessories or soft waves for that festive flair.”
